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JAMES MADISON: (1751 - 1836) Fourth President of the United States considered the "Father of the...

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JAMES MADISON: (1751 - 1836) Fourth President of the United States considered the  Father of the...
JAMES MADISON: (1751 - 1836) Fourth President of the United States considered the "Father of the Constitution", he authored the Federalist papers and sponsored the Bill of Rights. Important content partly-printed D.S. as Secretary of State, 4pp. 4to., Washington, Feb. 10, 1806 certifying that "...The writing contained on the annexed three pages is a true copy of a letter for the Secretary of State to the President of the U. States, dated Dec. 2, 1803, of a letter from Thomas Barclay Esqr., His Britannic Majesty's Consul General to the Secretary of State, dated 20 Octr. 1803, and of that from Commodore Hood, to which it refers...". The attached report contains manuscript true copies of a letter from Madison dated Dec. 2, 1803 to Jefferson reporting on renewed impressment of American seamen by British ships in the wake of renewed hostilities between Britain and France. The letter reads in part: "...I have added a summary to the first mentioned document showing the number of Citizens of the U. States impressed, and distinguishing those who had protection as Citizens; those who are stated to be Natives of the British dominions, and not stated to be naturalized as Citizens; and those of all other Countries who are equally not stated to have been naturalized in the United Sates. Another source of inquiry to our neutral navigation has taken place in the blockade of Guadeloupe and Martinique, as notified in the annexed latter from Mr. Barclay...Beside the above, I have received no official information of any material violations of our flag during the present European war, except in the recent aggressions of the Emperor of Morocco...". The attached copy of the British Consul General, Thomas Barclay to Madison notifies him of the blockade as well as a similar letter from Samuel Hood. Madison's report stirred a renewed wave of anti-British sentiment in the United States. Two days after the report was delivered, the Senate issued a resolution condemning the impressements as "unprovoked aggression" and a "violation of neutral rights". In April of 1806, Congress passed the Nicholson Act which prohibited a range of British manufactures that could be produced in the United States including brass, hemp, flax, tin, and various types of woolen textiles. The British, undeterred by these actions, continued in their impressment of American seaman and the general disruption of American trade ultimately leading to a declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812. Light chipping along margins, usual folds, otherwise very good to fine condition. $1,200-1,500